More News: 3/10

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I promised you all earlier that I would have some more news for you. Here’s what I’ve got:

Baseball Musings does an analysis of the Brewers starting pitching staff. It uses the Marcel Projection System, which is very simplistic and just uses averages to predict what is going to happen. I wouldn’t put too much faith in what these projections have to say, but it is still very interesting.

There are a couple interesting things about this evaluation though. First, it has Manny Parra in the starting rotation, along with Dave Bush. This leaves Carlos Villanueva out to dry, presumably in the bullpen. Secondly, the article notes that the success for the Brewers starters is going to depend on the amount of innings the youngsters get. The author seems to think that Yovani Gallardo and Parra are going to be instrumental to the success of the rotation this year. I would agree with that, as Parra will give Milwaukee the best chance to win this season, but I would put Villanueva in the rotation before Bush. It may just be favoring young upside over proven big league experience, but Bush and Chris Capuano have shown that they cannot get away from the big inning. I still maintain that Claudio Vargas will be traded before Opening Day.

Adam McCalvy checks in with a mailbag and an article about the progress Eric Gagne has made this spring.

In the mailbag, McCalvy says that the Brewers will have more speed in their lineup than they’ve had in the past few years. It should help the defense immensely in the outfield, and you can expect the Brewers to run a lot more this season. Oh, and we get the standard Jason Kendall cannot function in the big leagues comment from a fan.

Eric Gagne is working at his own pase, just working on his fastball and getting his pitching motion in a repeatable rhythm. He says that as long as he doesn’t get hurt, it will be a successful spring. He knows that his stuff will be there come April. Also of importance, Eric says that knowing his role on the Brewers helps more that people know. He does not have to switch focus or try to prepare for everything. I think he’s referring to his stint in Boston, when he had to switch out of his comfortable role as a closer. It may just be talk, but I would imagine that having a set job would be very comforting to a pitcher.

It’s not Brewers news, but this article is very interesting. Apparently, baseball has another “no-name” pitch. We already have the Gyroball, but this new pitch does not have a name yet.

Baltimore’s Rule 5 draft pick, Randor Bierd, is throwing something that neither his coaches nor his catchers can understand. It is a mix between a change up, but somehow has the characteristics of a forkball. Someone else said that it is a mix between a splitter and a change up. One of his catchers said that it is “Johan Santana” type of change up. I want to see this thing. A splitter, forkball, and a change up in one? Impressive.

I know I’ve asked this before, but do we have any more takers for a BrewersNation Fantasy Baseball League? We need more people to make this a possibility, so let me know!!!!

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